West Devon

West Devon's population expanded between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion and health.

The population passed 50,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of West Devon increased by 9.6%, from about 48,800 to 53,600.

The addition of just over 4,700 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, West Devon was home to, on average, 0.33 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the South West's least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older West Devon

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of West Devon increased by three years, from 44 to 47 years.

This agricultural area had the third-highest average age in the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 2,600 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 1,000.

About 16% of people in West Devon are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and West Devon by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in West Devon

The number of people in West Devon that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 7,500 in 2001 to just over 14,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 15% to 27% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the South West (from 17% to 30%), but at a faster rate than the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in West Devon that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 37,000 in 2001 to about 34,000 in 2011 (from 76% to 64%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from just under 3,600 to about 4,600 (from 7.3% to 8.5%).

Just over 310 people (0.3%) said they identified with a religion other than Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Sikhism, up from about 170 in 2001 (0.6%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in West Devon increased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and West Devon by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

Private renting increased in West Devon, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the South West, except Isles of Scilly.

Across the South West, the proportion of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17% between the last two censuses, while the proportion in Teignbridge (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with West Devon) increased from 12% to 15%.

Private renting was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that rented privately across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Changing relationships in West Devon

The proportion of married people fell in West Devon, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the South West, except South Gloucestershire and Isles of Scilly.

Every local authority area across the South West saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 53% to 49%.

During this period, West Devon overtook six local authority areas, including South Gloucestershire and Tewkesbury, to become the South West local authority area with the second-highest percentage of married people.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households in West Devon, which comprised a single parent, increased from 7.2% to 7.3% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 4 in 10 (38%) households had a married couple, compared with 41% in 2001. The percentage of households in West Devon, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.3% to 9.1%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.1% in 2001 to 9.0% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.5% to 11%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that had a single parent across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

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